How to Make a Christmas Advent Calendar

Waiting for Christmas to arrive is hard for most children...and some adults too! Advent or Christmas Calendars have helped many families answer the question, "How many days until Christmas?"

Advent calendars date back to German Lutherans in the 19th century. The hanging of a small Christmas related picture each day in December may have been the origin of Advent Calendar that we are familiar with today.

The problems with the modern Advent calendar is often availability and cost. Many can be pricey and are still filled with cheap candy; like anxious children need more sugar! Plus the calendars can not be used again and so they end up in the landfill after the holidays.

Making your own family Advent Calendar is a great opportunity to teach children about recycling. The added bonus is creating a Christmas tradition that your children will remember.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 9"x12" colored construction paper
• Red tissue paper or cellophane
• Used holiday cards or pictures
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Glue sticks
• Black marker (optional)

1. Start with a 9"x12" sheet of construction paper. This will be the front of your "house". Draw a line down the center, lengthwise, on the WRONG side of the paper as a guide.

2. Measure down each side 4" and draw a line from the point to the center of the top. This will form the roof of the house. Draw in the chimney about midway down one side of the peak-the chimney is 1 1/4" wide-and cut out from the same paper as the front of the house. The house should now will now be 9" wide and 12" tall at the center of the peak.

3. On the right side of the paper, mark off the windows starting 3" down from the top of the roof. All windows are 3/4" wide and 3/4", except the 3 in the third row. These are 1" tall and 3/4" wide for variation. Leave 1/2" between all windows about 1/4" between the rows. Center your rows leaving an equal amount of space on each side.

4. The front door is centered on the front of the house and is 1 1/2" wide and 1 1/2" tall.

5. Using a craft knife and a ruler edge, cut across the top and bottom of all windows and the door. Then down through the center of each window. Carefully bend back the "shutters". DO NOT CUT down each side of the windows or you will lose the "shutter" effect.

6. Paste strips of foil from old holiday cards to decorate the front of the house. You can also use colored construction paper for trim. Don't forget to decorate the front door, chimney and roof!
   Use a glue stick as it will not damage the construction paper and will dry clear.

7. On the back of the calendar paste a lining of single thickness red tissue paper or cellophane. Use the glue stick to fasten the paper securely.

8. In each little window paste a tiny picture cut from old holiday cards-a toy; animal; a candle or whatever you find. Paste the cutout on the red tissue paper or cellophane. Paste a Christmas tree behind the door. Close all the shutters and door.

9. Starting on December 1st, one window should be opened each day until on the 24th when the door is opened and there is the Christmas tree!
   
   Once all the windows and door are opened, stand the calendar in front of a lamp. The light will shine through the red paper backing and your little house will glow!

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to use pictures of your family members (including the pets) behind some of the windows to really personalize your Advent Calendar.
• Some families make annual Advent calendars as part of their Christmas tradition. They then pack their calendars with their holiday decorations. When the holidays come around, they display each Advent Calendar from past holidays. It's a great way to look back at past holidays and reminisce.
• You can add the numbers 1 through 24 on the shutters to help answer those excited questions about "How many more days?" ALWAYS START OPENING AT 24!
• Please use caution with the craft knife. Although this is meant to be a family project, cutting with a craft knife is a job for an adult!
• Do not place your finished calendar in front of a burning candle! The calendar is a light weight piece of paper that could easily be blown or knocked into the flame of the candle. SAFETY FIRST!